The Canadian Opera Company presents a free show today, with Humber College's Latin Big Band. Photo by A. Chandra.

MUSIC: Let’s face it: January kinda sucks. It’s cold, it’s dark, and we’re all a bit fatter (though not in the wallet). To help ease the pain, the Canadian Opera Company wants to remind you of warmer days, with a performance by Humber College’s Latin Big Band. Under the direction of Cuba’s Luis Mario Ochoa, the band will heat things up with hits from the legends of salsa. Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre (145 Queen Street West), 12 p.m., FREE.

ART: If you’re drawn to shiny things, this exhibition is up your alley. Luminescence: the Silver of Peru showcases jewelry, tools, paintings, crowns, art, and masks spanning 2,500 years of Peruvian history. Curated by UBC Museum of Anthropology Director Dr. Anthony Shelton, this is the largest collection of Peruvian silver ever to come to Canada. Most of the featured items have never even been shown outside Peru. The University of Toronto Art Centre (15 King’s College Circle), opening reception 6–8, FREE.

LIVE LIT: Tonight, the Write Club returns for its first literary combat event of 2013. During a series of four, seven-minute-long battles, writers will go head to head with opposing story ideas. The winner of each round receives money for a charity of their choice. Tonight’s warriors are: A.G. Pasquella, Jackie Valencia, Jennifer McKinley, Andrew Sullivan, Monica Heisey, Gerard Harris, Jeremy Greenberg, and Alex Nursall. The Garrison (1197 Dundas Street West), 8 p.m., $10.

CORRECTION: January 15, 11:00 AM The price for Write Club is actually $10, not $12, as previously stated. The correction has been made above.

Urban Planner is Torontoist‘s guide to what’s on in Toronto, published every weekday morning, and in a weekend edition Friday afternoons. If you have an event you’d like considered, email all of its details—as well as images, if you’ve got any—to events@torontoist.com.